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BEIJING: India refused to extend support to China’s ambitious Belt and Road infrastructure project at a foreign ministers’ meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation on Tuesday. The refusal precedes a trip to China this week by India’s prime minister.

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is Chinese President Xi Jinping’s landmark scheme to build infrastructure to connect China to the rest of Asia and beyond, a giant reworking of its old Silk Road.

India has not signed up to the initiative as parts of one key project, the $57 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, run through Azad Kashmir.

Whether or not China will be able to win India round to the BRI will likely be a key measure of the success of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to China to meet Xi Jinping for an informal meeting on Friday and Saturday.

But Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj did not express support for Belt and Road in the communique released after foreign ministers of the China and Russia-led Shanghai Coope­ration Organisation (SCO) met in Beijing.

India, along with Pakistan, joined the group last year.

All the other foreign ministers — from Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan — “reaffirmed support for the Belt and Road proposal”, the statement read.

It gave no further explanation.

The communique otherwise was a broad expression of unity by the ministers on issues ranging from their support for the Iran nuclear deal to the need to combat the spread of extremism.

Narendra Modi is coming to China as efforts at rapprochement gather pace following a testing year in ties between the two neighbours.

The Asian giants were locked in a 73-day military stand-off in a remote, high-altitude stretch of that boundary last year. At one point, soldiers from the two sides threw stones and punches.

The confrontation between the nuclear-armed powers in the Himalayas underscored Indian alarm at China’s expanding security and economic links in South Asia.

Speaking at a daily news briefing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said both countries had agreed that holding a more relaxed informal meeting was a good idea.

“It can provide a comfortable atmosphere for the two countries’ leaders to have full and deep exchanges on important issues of mutual concern,” Lu said.

China believes the meeting, in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, will reach important new consensus and promote the continued healthy development of ties going forward, he added.

Modi will come again to China in June for a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

China will also have to tread carefully to avoid giving Pakistan cause for alarm. On Monday it reassured Pakistan that relations between the two countries were as firm as ever and would “never rust”.

On DawnNews

Comments (202) Closed

Sharjeel

Apr 25, 2018 09:50am

Its an interesting watch. India and China have strange love and hate relationship.

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Swetha

Apr 25, 2018 09:51am

We are not interested in high rated loans for constructing roads,ports and airports.Because we have all of them.We don't want to be another country deep in debt.A smart person learns from others mistakes.#JustLeaveUs

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DrSalaria

Apr 25, 2018 09:52am

BRI can wait.

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Ahmed bin Babar

Apr 25, 2018 09:57am

India is out after bargaining chips but in the end China shall prevail...

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PeopleWorld

Apr 25, 2018 10:03am

Good, the chinese need to know their place.

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Political connoisseur

Apr 25, 2018 10:03am

India is again shying from ground reality, and adamant to adher to its old policy, which today is totally invalid. The Chinese have already connected Pak ,Afghanistan CAS ,Russia ,right upto England through Europe, while on South East Asia had complete most of the highways upto Myanmar even beyond. At some W.Africa many Ports are built by China in partnership, including in Sri Lanka, and Pak the famous Gwadar Port have Chinese logo. Being a natural competitor of China in trade & ego, India is frustrated to appreciate China, although it's fully impressed by the fast development of China. The policy of China will remain same to India, the door will remain open for cooperation talks for trade & peace at LAC, and China has great patience to wait and see, untill a progressive friendly minded government comes in India to sign agreement on OBOR.

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Umar Makhdumi

Apr 25, 2018 10:07am

India, being the second most populous country of the world, should definitely become part of one belt one road project. This will open new vistas of friendship amongst all countries of this region. Time has come to shun all animosity and think about evolving a European Union style model for all the countries of this region.

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rajab

Apr 25, 2018 10:08am

India will regret, if she does not join CPEC or BRI.

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SHAHID SATTAR

Apr 25, 2018 10:09am

Anything that benefits Pakistan, whether done by itself or with the aid or consent or any form of other means of support, is a taboo for India and there is no way they are going to give their consent for the same. That is the bitter truth for some, but it is well known to those who have seen the methodology of how the Indian minds work.

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AW

Apr 25, 2018 10:17am

Pakistan’s problems will continue to multiply and get more complex over time until Pakistan is somehow able to manage and normalize its relationship with India .

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Dost

Apr 25, 2018 10:20am

That's called maturity, what ever and how many despute there may be but communication,trade should not break and things to move. There's should b no rigidity.its the trade and coumnication which prevented guns on border.

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Indian

Apr 25, 2018 10:23am

This is called a sovereign country..No compromise on national interests..

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PAKRAT

Apr 25, 2018 10:30am

A Chinese economist has questioned the feasibility of the OBOR project, arguing that none of the partner-countries attracts FDI, or has a strong economy, to make any significant contribution.

India knows that.

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AW

Apr 25, 2018 10:31am

Belt and road project is a great concept and a large project which will greatly benefit every participating country if China would be willing to partner with the cash starved countries instead of lending them money at double digit interest as a predator . Given the corruption and mismanagement in participating countries, it is likely that participating countries like Pakistan would default. Once in default, China would be in the position to dictate their internal and external policies thus making them subservient states

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Shuaib

Apr 25, 2018 10:38am

India quite happy following bullet and brutality project!

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A shah

Apr 25, 2018 10:42am

China needs access to the worlds fastest growing economy and knows that without INDIA, the road will fail.

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M. Emad

Apr 25, 2018 10:42am

There should be many 'Belt and Road project' in the world.

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Zubair

Apr 25, 2018 10:52am

Why would India want to have unsustainable debt like Pakistan?

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Ekansh

Apr 25, 2018 10:56am

@Political connoisseur dream on

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Alba

Apr 25, 2018 10:58am

China did not understand what it was buying into.

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Sadaf

Apr 25, 2018 11:00am

China is doing what should be done in the 21st Century. Look past the bias and run a business.

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Nirbhay

Apr 25, 2018 11:01am

@Political connoisseur Your economy is in shambles!! what have you gained from CPEC till now??

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Alba

Apr 25, 2018 11:04am

@Political connoisseur .... India has been trading with China since the Tang Dynasty. Trade has it's ups and downs. Modi is here today and will be gone tomorrow.

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RL

Apr 25, 2018 11:04am

china is desperate to include India in this because they have realized that without India Belt and Road project is going to be a disaster! India smartly declined to participate! Quite a few countries who are part of this are already regretting their mistake.

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Ash2000

Apr 25, 2018 11:05am

Good decision by India. India cannot participate in a project which passes through her land without her approval.

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Zak

Apr 25, 2018 11:10am

Looks like India is isolating itself.

All the other foreign ministers — from Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan — “reaffirmed support for the Belt and Road proposal”.

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Zak

Apr 25, 2018 11:12am

@Sharjeel Difference is, China is real and India is fake.

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Zak

Apr 25, 2018 11:13am

Before any joining, IOK must be resolved.

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GK

Apr 25, 2018 11:19am

The one and only one reason for not joining is Pakistan

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TINA

Apr 25, 2018 11:21am

India will regret, if she does not join CPEC or BRI.
@rajab : okay if you say so. We will take that chance

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satya

Apr 25, 2018 11:22am

@rajab and why is that? Why does India need CPEC? India is doing quite good with out it.

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Pkay

Apr 25, 2018 11:24am

You have to show power to China then only they will respect you otherwise it will just be another east India company like deal

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Global Peace

Apr 25, 2018 11:26am

But why China is after India & trying so hard for last 5 years that point is to be thought about ! Whoever China asked all said YES so in principle China should be happy but china keeps this wish of India Joining & every time it try & every time India refuse. There is a strong willpower of China wanting India to join. WHY its so important for China that it want India to Join ? If India joins will it impact pakistan ?

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steevan roham

Apr 25, 2018 11:27am

CPEC or BRI in incomplete without India, China knows this very well.
Great the way india is handling china on this.

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Rahim, Lahore

Apr 25, 2018 11:31am

@Ahmed bin Babar China will prevail in long run.Right.But what is our benefit? In today news cm of KP, Sindh and Balochistan avoided evonomic summit meeting.What it shows? We think for China and not about us.We have a wrong notion that If Chinas prevail then India slows.It is not the reality.China has already understood it meeting and invited Modi this weak.And we have neither imagination nor capacity to acknowledge Indias power influence. Sooner we understand it better for us not China.

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Kailash Singh

Apr 25, 2018 11:38am

Is this BRI the only option for India's progress? Nations which tread on the path of success make their own means to achieve it not bowing to any external pressure.

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Rahul

Apr 25, 2018 11:56am

Honestly why would India bother. It doesn't need Chinese debt ,it has enough expertise and manpower to execute it's projects without having " guest Chinese workers " and it has no reason to support what is an employment and business generation programme for Chinese companies....

And with a vast sea coastline it's dependency on road is far lesser than the Central Asian republics or Russia .

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point of view

Apr 25, 2018 11:57am

@Political connoisseur, could you please enlighten what benefits will India have if join the Belt and Road project?

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Bharat Dave

Apr 25, 2018 12:03pm

I do not know whether India joins project or not how does it interest Pakistan.

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Inayath

Apr 25, 2018 12:08pm

CPEC what is the concept? building roads in other countries. This initiative is good if it provides loan and respective countries build roads. It will create employment in short time also economy in long time.

Appreciate India being firm on this ever since CPEC was concept.

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Akram

Apr 25, 2018 12:10pm

Just a matter of time. They’ll come round.

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Li-N-Ja

Apr 25, 2018 12:21pm

China wants India more than India wants China. To arrest the falling growth rate, China needs access to vast Indian market in the neighbour. India has huge trade imbalance highly skewed in favour of China. Hence, a easy connectivity will surge the trade imbalance further in favour of China. There is no reason why India should bogged down to such request. It will sell known that without getting India on board, Belt and Road project will not be fruitful in South Asia as the rent on investment will be negative. Its a trump card for India, which it will play to bargain for Chinese support to fulfil its own ambition like support for NSG etc.

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Saif Zulfiqar

Apr 25, 2018 12:23pm

India is out of CPEC, BRI and Chabahar Port of Iran. Poor Modi.

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Yogesh Nagpur

Apr 25, 2018 12:31pm

@Zak yes.. because it don't require loan from China on high interest.

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rajkumar

Apr 25, 2018 12:37pm

@Zak nobody is isolating anyone,you have your reasons for CPEC,we dont think they are valid for us,

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Akram

Apr 25, 2018 12:42pm

@Nirbhay what have we gained from CPEC? you mean apart from accelerated GDP growth, 5.79% growth in GDP currently. The power CPEC has provided has finally alleviated the chronic power shortage that has held back GDP growth over the last decade. This is believed to lead to an extra growth in GDP of 2 percentage points for starters.

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Akram

Apr 25, 2018 12:44pm

@RL you have no clue, take a look at a map. India is in the periphery of BRI, its participation is of no great consequence. In fact Pakistan is more critical as its the only juncture where the belt actually meets the road outside China. This will happen with or without india.

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Kunal, Gurgaon

Apr 25, 2018 12:49pm

@Zak: Except for Russia, all others are insignificant.

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Anil

Apr 25, 2018 12:51pm

@Zak Look who is talking of isolation.

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John Velantino

Apr 25, 2018 12:54pm

@rajab .... time will tell

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lafanga

Apr 25, 2018 12:56pm

Writing is on the wall. It's the Chinese century. India was on wrong side of history backing the then Soviet Union and will again be on the wrong side of history now.

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John Velantino

Apr 25, 2018 12:56pm

@Political connoisseur .... time will tell whether the OBOR is big deb trap or not. Do you know why Sri Lanka is handing over the port to China for 99 year lease ? Because thats the only way it can pay back the loans from China for building that port in first place. So that you understand the gravity of it, 99 years is four generations.

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ExMohajirinUK

Apr 25, 2018 12:57pm

Self-respect comes from Self-confidence, time to learn from mistakes and make correct decisions.

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lafanga

Apr 25, 2018 01:00pm

@Ash2000 Good joke.

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John Velantino

Apr 25, 2018 01:02pm

@Zak . So speaks some one who only understand groups and my side is better than your attitude rather than understanding the economical implications of things. How do you explain Sri Lanka having to let China control the port which it build with help of Chinese for 99 year lease ? If leasing out your country to foreign nation is business smartness then good luck.
Also highly stupid of anyone who thinks just because India is not joining this initiative means its suffering business. It has healthy business with each of the nations mentioned.
So before you yap next time, get some real education.

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Shaukat Natalkar

Apr 25, 2018 01:17pm

World Bank IMF is expecting GDP Growth of 7.50 for India and they have factored exponential growth in India's export to China Afghanistan Iran and other Gulf countries. So India will soon join CPEC but can be only for using the connectivity by paying toll plaza fees. This will increase Pakistan's revenue. India has refused to make capital investment in the last meeting with China.

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annie

Apr 25, 2018 01:22pm

@rajab .... No ...India will not regret.... it has already INST (Internation North sourth transport corridor) .... aslo we have other links already existing. India should avoid importing cheap goods, promote local industry/manufacture.

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citizen

Apr 25, 2018 01:27pm

@Zak You mean China is putting a condition that India has to solve kashmir problem before joining OBOR? Wake up dear..Looks like India is not at all interested in joining OBOR ...We have to try some thing else...

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annie

Apr 25, 2018 01:27pm

@Political connoisseur ... India will not shy when it comes to its own Interests, we trust in our PM. We already have INSTC (International North South Corridor)....Soon it will start operating.... India should promote our own manufacturing sectors. India is already doing well. It needs to be strong and steady looking at long term dreams. India should not look for cheap china products. Should promote local industry...

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Ahmet

Apr 25, 2018 01:33pm

The Chinese are all dressed up with nowhere to go

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John

Apr 25, 2018 01:41pm

@Political connoisseur Why don't you see the simple truth? India is just not interested in this deal as it is a trap to get all the countries indebted to China. Leave us alone and do whatever you want.

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ali

Apr 25, 2018 01:42pm

@Political connoisseur ..... look China wants India to join. China is the one who is putting pressure on India. .. India is already doing very well without OBOR / CPEC... why should India get into DEBT trap. We already have good highways, airports ect...so there is not question of REGRETING... we are very happy with whatever we have.

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Ayub

Apr 25, 2018 01:42pm

@Swetha You are talking Modiwise but please compare your economy with China and India need another 20 years to reach where China is today and after 20 years China may be 30 years ahead.Pakistan and China are friends and within next 5 years we will be at par with you.

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Zak

Apr 25, 2018 01:45pm

@Umar Makhdumi and Kashmir can get resolved as well as per UN resplutions.

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Zak

Apr 25, 2018 01:52pm

@rajab agreed. As CPEC gets into full operation, Pakistan will become strong economically and gain immense importance within the region and the world. By than, Pakistan’s stance may change and become more uncompromising towards India joining the CPEC corridor. So the opportunity is now, to resolve Kashmir and then join the ‘golden corridor’ by becoming a tributary to the CPEC river.

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HAQEEQAT

Apr 25, 2018 02:05pm

@Zak Do you know the meaning of isolation?

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B N Sharma

Apr 25, 2018 02:09pm

@Saif Zulfiqar

"India is out of CPEC, BRI and Chabahar Port of Iran. Poor Modi."

We are not the part of it by choice.

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Anil

Apr 25, 2018 02:13pm

@Zak No Thank you!

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Gaurav

Apr 25, 2018 02:14pm

Many of the mega projects are already going on right now in India. And weare already well connected to most regions in the glove. What's the point in joining OBOR?

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John

Apr 25, 2018 02:15pm

OBOR is just China's attempt to offset their huge debt to other countries. Naive countries with corrupt leaders fall for it, smart ones stay out.

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Zayan

Apr 25, 2018 02:31pm

@RL this is your own opinion dear that somebody is regreting. Please reserach.

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CP

Apr 25, 2018 02:37pm

@Global Peace I agree with you. Even the Western countries are not that sure. Western countries are looking at India as well.

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Ramesh NG

Apr 25, 2018 02:46pm

BRI as India wants.

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P Majeed

Apr 25, 2018 02:51pm

@Ayub Good Joke

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Alzamier

Apr 25, 2018 02:54pm

@M. Emad all sponsored by china ?

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Aashiq

Apr 25, 2018 02:55pm

It would be trap, from all sides, as it goes through disputed region & a debt.

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Aashiq

Apr 25, 2018 02:56pm

@rajab Pakistan will regret first.

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vorshal

Apr 25, 2018 03:00pm

India - an independent nation!

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Jagajilly

Apr 25, 2018 03:03pm

@Zak I think,India will join or jump at it if construction projects of cpec is open for Indian company's participation (with Indian workers) basis an open&comoetitive tender. Can Pak or for that matter China can agree to it?

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SAK

Apr 25, 2018 03:06pm

India must see its interests instead of looking towards US and should take advantage of regional initiatives. CPEC is the project which can afford benefits to all regional states besides international community. Instead of playing in the hands of West, India must learn from regional development which can yield benefits for its nation. International forces are there only for their individual interests.

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Anil

Apr 25, 2018 03:09pm

@Zak looks like you are living in fools paradise.

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Apr 25, 2018 03:11pm

This is not a breaking news.

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iqbal

Apr 25, 2018 03:13pm

dear swertha, u claim u have roads, ports and airports. u got money. You do NOT even have toilets . first get the basics.

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SAK

Apr 25, 2018 03:28pm

India must see its interests instead of looking towards US.

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DK PAMNANI

Apr 25, 2018 03:28pm

Not of much use for India.

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Saif Zulfiqar

Apr 25, 2018 03:38pm

China does not require India's or Modi's approval in any project. China is now very big.

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MAVERICK

Apr 25, 2018 03:41pm

China's growth is stagnated and whatever they do, inside or outside China, is bound to moderate and come down. The dragon is desperate and in desperation and hurry they have gone ahead with the construction without consulting India. Now at this stage they realise the value of Co-operation. Despite this Chinese effort, Indian economy, with historic reforms, is posed to grow continuously. The world focus has shifted to India and would be discomfort to many.

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Majnu

Apr 25, 2018 04:03pm

No need for Chinese debt, Indian economy is doing way better than any of the countries that joined BRI.If Chinese BRI cannot access the world's largest market then it is their loss.

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Abbasshah

Apr 25, 2018 04:13pm

Leave India aside &move on.

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Prateik

Apr 25, 2018 04:31pm

China should clearly illustrate what are the real time benefits of joining BRI.

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Singh.ra

Apr 25, 2018 04:35pm

@lafanga you might know what Pakistan have achieved being right side of history.

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BAXAR

Apr 25, 2018 04:36pm

@CP "Even the Western countries are not that sure. Western countries are looking at India as well." They don't have any choice, China is not as forthcoming as they expected, India is.

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Singh.ra

Apr 25, 2018 04:37pm

How dose it matter for India to support or not OBOR? it is even irreverent for Pakistan. only beneficial for Chaina

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Singh.ra

Apr 25, 2018 04:38pm

India is negotiating for NSG entry to support OBOR. Now see soon how India is getting into NSG group

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satya

Apr 25, 2018 04:48pm

@lafanga , yes but we still are doing better and better. Isn't it?

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Iftikhar Husain

Apr 25, 2018 04:58pm

The USA will not be very pleased with this development.

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Ravi

Apr 25, 2018 05:08pm

@Umar Makhdumi it's ridiculous. CPEC has no connection to India in any way.

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Ravi

Apr 25, 2018 05:09pm

@rajab absolutely no regret.

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Ravi

Apr 25, 2018 05:11pm

@AW great concept benefitting only China.

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Ramesh K. Sharma

Apr 25, 2018 05:17pm

@Ayub We pray it comes true and best wishes from across the border.

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IBRAHIM

Apr 25, 2018 05:18pm

Indian do not realise the ground reality. Future of each country based on mutual respect, Trade and good relationship but Modi and it's people of India can not understand the facts.

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tatvavetta

Apr 25, 2018 05:31pm

China cannot build any roads in Kashmir which is Indian territory which is not acceptable to India. Also Pakistan needs financial support as well as some goods and political support from China which India does not need.India is fast growing economy and needs Chinese market for growth and vice versa.

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Krow

Apr 25, 2018 05:33pm

Request Denied.

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Kunal, Gurgaon

Apr 25, 2018 05:48pm

@Saif Zulfiqar: With Trump tightening the screws on China, the latter needs India more than the vice versa. Hence, the 'informal' meeting of Modi with the Chinese President over this weekend.

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Sachin

Apr 25, 2018 05:49pm

Has Singapore and Japan signed BRI ? Similarly due to geography, India has no real reason to join BRI. It is mainly for landlocked states to get access to the Indian ocean. I dont think India is opposing to BRI. India just does not have need to join BRI.

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Raj

Apr 25, 2018 05:55pm

India has learned its lesson from East India company. Looks Pakistan had forgotten and will pay the price when it has to start paying back CPEC loan.

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Vijay

Apr 25, 2018 06:06pm

@Ahmed bin Babar how do you know?

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Vijay

Apr 25, 2018 06:07pm

@Political connoisseur BJP is not going away.

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Dev

Apr 25, 2018 06:18pm

@Ahmed bin Babar seriously? If you think about it. There is a nice chess being played out.
I think India will agree only for a win-win situation. China needs India more than any other country. Lets see how it pans out.

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natey

Apr 25, 2018 06:22pm

India have own opinion n they shud not be forced.. same as pak n China.. and India shud not force Bangladesh or Maldives when they want to make decision favor for China... they not Indian colony.. but independent nations.. India need to practice what they preach.. just bcoz u don't trust China don't force your view onto others...

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jayakumar

Apr 25, 2018 06:27pm

Indias growth is more home driven. We have enough means to export our goods but for the world & especially China with its export oriented economy,missing access to one of the largest & fastest growing market of its goods is unimaginable. So its the chinese who need the OBOR in the indian context but in the pakistani context its more of a pakistani need because large scale FDI inflows is not anticipated other than the CPEC.

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Love Pakistan

Apr 25, 2018 06:28pm

@A shah keep dreaming... a wise business person would always seek ways to enhance their business irrespective of the friendship or enemity and that’s exactly what China is doing. The project is continuing and will be a success despite of what Indians think and wish.

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Dev

Apr 25, 2018 06:31pm

India has enough commitments from across the globe vis-a-vis their economy, industry and infra growth.
China and Russia have good relations with India and then US /Europe as well.
Though I dont like Modi for certain reasons. He will win the elections next year as well.
We are in a cusp of major changes in world politics and the countries are aware of it.

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Somu

Apr 25, 2018 06:38pm

@Ayub , Good luck to you !! But we are not interested in the capital investment by China in india. BTW if you are so eager to have India in BRI, why don't you provide transit for Indian goods to Afghanistan ?? You won't !!! because of political reasons.

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Somu

Apr 25, 2018 06:40pm

@Zak , Wish you a healthy debt swim across or along the CPEC river.

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Somu

Apr 25, 2018 06:45pm

@SAK , If you are such a well wisher of regional trade why are you not allowing transit for India Afghanistan trade ???

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B N Sharma

Apr 25, 2018 06:46pm

@Ayub

It is that of China, not yours.

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Somu

Apr 25, 2018 06:48pm

@iqbal , Then why are you after India joining the CPEC. Leave us alone.

@SAK .... "Instead of playing in the hands of West, India must learn from regional development which can yield benefits for its nation." ..... in that case Pakistan should start trade with India and open border for transit trade with Afghanistan.

@SAK then ask your government to open your border for trade and transit trade first then will think of koining CPEC.

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Joe

Apr 25, 2018 07:00pm

@SHAHID SATTAR
but it is well known to those who have seen the methodology of how the Indian minds work."
Indian mind works for welfare of Indians.Now read this carefully.India is already constructing 8 way hi way connecting India to Vietnam via BD, Burma, Thailand,Combodia,,Laos .Now secondly Nepal to get directions link to Bay of Bengal . Remember China is constructing road cum rail up to Nepal.So China gets direct ,shorter and cheaper axes to warm water port of Huglie compare to CPEC.
Just visualise how you pay back those 66 billion dollars taken as loan to China.Hslf Pakistan assets are already pawned to China.
Now you know how Indian mind works.

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M. Siddique

Apr 25, 2018 07:02pm

India has gotten on Trump's back recently and has lost its sight about Asia. If India does not join the Belt Road project, it will loose economically. Joining this project will help bring peace in South Asia.

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ankit

Apr 25, 2018 07:08pm

Most people commenting here have not read a single line of any OBOR agreements, terms and conditions. How many have read a single line of any of the CPEC agreements ? Has the govt of Pakistan even made it public ?

So, kindly stop giving advise, criticizing and even chest thumping. Its up to an individual country to decide. India has decided one way, Pakistan another way. India's economy, needs and prospects, and Pakistan's economy are worlds apart currently, hence kindly stop comparing.

India, China are top economies, their dealings will be different to a China dealing with a smaller economy, the stakes are different, please realize that. So, kindly do not compare India with countries with economies several times smaller and slower than India's, their needs are different.

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S K SINGH

Apr 25, 2018 07:45pm

If we go for BRI-
Steel industry will suffer as Chinese would like to use their steel.
Cement industry will suffer.
our manpower will not be employed.
our industry leaders have sufficient financial capital to undertake these projects. Their interest rates on loans are too high.
they will flood Indian markets with cheap substandard goods.
There is soverignty issue regardig CPEC.
India itself is competent technologicaly and financialy to build power stations, roads,ports,factories,nuclear reactors,or any other facility which Chinese can.
We can not bulldose our population the way it can be done in dictatorship or authoritarian regimes.
So what dose India gain by BRI?
We also lose the goodwill of US and other western countries.
Our own research and scientific tempo will suffer if we import these rudimentry technology from outside.
Western-Southern China borderig India is underdeveloped as far as population ,road,rail,power station and other infrastructure is concerned.Will it be economicaly
viable? Sea root is one-third time cheaper.
Not a viable and economical bargain for India in present avatar.

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Observer

Apr 25, 2018 07:47pm

@Political connoisseur All the benefits are subjected to million factors, but loans are a reality. India does not need Chinese investments, nor it would like to let China destroy Indian industry.

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DrSalaria

Apr 25, 2018 07:50pm

@Umar Makhdumi true. Please open the roads from India to Afghanistan. India is already connected in the east. Still a Europe without BRI.

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DrSalaria

Apr 25, 2018 07:56pm

@Sadaf A big YES. BRI should continue, without India.

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DrSalaria

Apr 25, 2018 08:02pm

@Saif Zulfiqar you are partially correct. Chabahaar is a game changer in its own right.

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ALIEN1

Apr 25, 2018 08:03pm

The British sold us the same idea and it took us 300 years to get rid of ourselves from the slavery.

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YS-USA

Apr 25, 2018 08:04pm

This BRI is nothing but a ploy to dump Chinese goods on countries of South Asia and Middle East

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Raza

Apr 25, 2018 08:11pm

@PeopleWorld Great well said

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Raj

Apr 25, 2018 08:15pm

India can stand it’s own decision with pride.No bullying accepted.Proud to be Indian!!

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Kris

Apr 25, 2018 08:26pm

Belt and Road has nothing in it for India (or for any other country). China wants to put its capital and people to work. So they are becoming the contractors for the world. Once these projects are completed, they will have a huge road/rail/port network to ship their products from Xinjiang to South Asia. It's a loose-loose proposition for the rest of the world. Only thing the world gets in return is a pile of debt and lot of cheap Chinese goods!

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mona

Apr 25, 2018 08:28pm

@Zak ... I agree, without solving the core issue of kashmir, india should not join obor

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mona

Apr 25, 2018 08:30pm

@Abbasshah ... i agree, not sure why chinese are falling on india's foot. Is India so powerful? may be

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Ahmed bin Babar

Apr 25, 2018 08:39pm

@Rahim, Lahore Chine is all seasons friend, its success is our success, we need not to imagine whatever is witnessed by the world about india under modi...

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dynamite

Apr 25, 2018 08:52pm

Its a matter of pride, principals and ethics...Pakistan may be OK with China building a road through their territory.....India is NOT and will NEVER be.

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soumik

Apr 25, 2018 08:55pm

India has rightly refused to join BRI on account of the road passing through disputed territory.
that said there are other reasons as well
1) India does not need BRI to attract Chinese investment ,Private Chinese businesses like Foxconn, Xiaomi, SAIC ,Wanda and the Sunrise group have already invested Billons of dollars into Indian subsidiaries.
2)India already has her own infrastructure building projects under process with more than 120$bn already invested.
3)India is attracting more FDI than it can handle easily as on date, the magnetic Maharashtra 2018 event alone brought in proposals & MOUs worth more than 115$Bn.
4)India is already the linchpin for three major international trade corridors including the INSTC, The Asia Africa Growth corridor and the US funded Silk route project.

In short India does not need Chinese support for investments or infrastructure or trade, it has no requirement to join the BRI.

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Life

Apr 25, 2018 08:56pm

India would like to participate but then its stance on Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan will undermine. Another problem for India is that the project will move on with or without India though she would have to spend a lot to curtail smuggling of cheap products in her country through porous neighbouring borders. I think, Moodi being a hawk will not sign it but later governments will have no option but to be a part of the belt. India will feel isolation soon because her new partner USA is too far and away.

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Ali Kazmi

Apr 25, 2018 09:24pm

Very simply China and West are headed for an open confrontation and India has decided to put it's eggs in the Western basket.

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Rajesh

Apr 25, 2018 09:25pm

Chinese is already selling goods to India. If joining the CPEC means sharing Pakistan's debt burden then Thank you. Industrial development of China's West is not India's problem. India is being fed from South East manufacturing hubs and they can feed through Bangladesh or Nepal in future. No need to get Pakistan involved in the routes for goods moving from China to India.
How can India depend on a country which has not permitted it's goods to pass through to Afghanistan through land routes?
It is time to celebrate CPEC investments by both China & Pakistan.

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brr

Apr 25, 2018 09:32pm

@Political connoisseur If China is all connected everywhere as you claim, why should it care for India? And why should India join something where it is not needed? You make no sense.

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Anand

Apr 25, 2018 09:34pm

While China's GDP is 5x India, Indian GDP is 10x the next in line Pakistan.

China does not need India to get started, but without India there will not be profitability either for China OR India in this project. And both will look to profit as long as National Security interests are not compromised

India and China will bargain for many years

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MG

Apr 25, 2018 09:59pm

Why force fitting unwanted business ideas?

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Hopeful

Apr 25, 2018 10:44pm

Modi has not received permission from his boss, USA.

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ABBY

Apr 25, 2018 11:03pm

China should complete BRI Project without India. India will join later on. .Benefit and Money will pursue India.

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nks

Apr 25, 2018 11:07pm

@Sharjeel :There is neither love or hate at the government levels---just lack of trust that one is after the other's territory and could use any pretext for a war--of course in self-interest.
Caution is always a good strategy in such matters.
Let Pakistan's experience prove the BRI and then late adopters might join!
In the meantime --cautious first steps towards trade and international relations.

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Himanshu Sirohi

Apr 25, 2018 11:51pm

Pak should learn from India and its strategies,
INDIA got its loan at 0.1% interest rate from Japan for its bullet train project , while Pak is taking loan from their beloved China at 7 to 8% rates . I think that Pak politicians need to be more fair with their public and let them know that China is not doing any favor to them instead it is making ways to eat up resources of other countries.
Sri Lanka is the best example, they took loans from China at the same rates and now see their ports are being taken on lease for 100 years.
Indian subcontinent should and must not forget what East India Company did to this place.

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gp65

Apr 25, 2018 11:58pm

@Shaukat Natalkar "World Bank IMF is expecting GDP Growth of 7.50 for India and they have factored exponential growth in India's export to China Afghanistan Iran and other Gulf countries. So India will soon join CPEC but can be only for using the connectivity by paying toll plaza fees. This will increase Pakistan's revenue"

India does not need Gwadar to export to Iran. It can do so through Chabahar. India already has a border with China and has strong trade without using CPEC. Pakistan has already refused land transit to India for trade with Afghanistan or central asia. If India has to use a port, it would prefer Chabahar to Gwadar - as simple as that.

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Syed Anjum Ali

Apr 26, 2018 12:33am

Obviously. The Chinese Belt and Road project threatens to marginalize India. How can it support it?

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Mukhtar Ary

Apr 26, 2018 12:35am

Through BRI/OBOR/CHIPEC, China seeks to export its debt burden, sustain its state-owned behemoths which are slowing down due to the decrease in domestic demand in China, fetch better returns than that given by US treasury bonds which give a measly 1% and after getting all these benefits, extend its economic & strategic goals on its periphery. The unsustainable lending rates, the scale of the project and the nature of economies China is seeking to invest has a clear pattern to it. None of the above reasons mentioned are even remotely in India's interest least of all the reduction of American might & influence on the world stage. India has thus far stayed out of it & will continue to stay out of it in the future too.

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Abhisek

Apr 26, 2018 01:02am

@rajab Pak is already regretting more after joining CPEC we don't want to be a colony of China

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Zukir

Apr 26, 2018 01:14am

@Ayub while I appreciate your enthusiasm , one word of caution. We were friends with USA the most powerful nations for past 65years and look what it got us. Now we have made an enemy of USA and friends with second most powerful nation which doesnot give dole or grants but loan with interest to be paid and you are sure we will be equal with India in next 5years. Don't know how you arrived at this conclusion but if there is some logic please share as it will enlighten me.

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saud

Apr 26, 2018 01:31am

India and China both will benefit from more trade, Modi/India just want a much better deal and they will get it since they hold good cards.
One can only hope that they do not get too much leverage against Pakistan.

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Ismail khan Qureshi

Apr 26, 2018 01:45am

@Ash2000 amazing analysis

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Amber

Apr 26, 2018 02:22am

India will never allow it's own people out of poverty and neither will it allow the rest of south Asia

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Amber

Apr 26, 2018 02:24am

South Asia's bad luck is called India

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Ramesh K. Sharma

Apr 26, 2018 03:56am

@Ahmed bin Babar Nobody knows who will prevail not even China. Let us wait.

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Ramesh K. Sharma

Apr 26, 2018 04:06am

@Umar Makhdumi Agree, but for this to happen all parties in the region will have to accommodate each other's sensitivities and stop proxy wars against one org the other. Together we will stand but divided we will fall. Choice is none other than ours.

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Ramesh K. Sharma

Apr 26, 2018 04:24am

@lafanga There are three options namely with, against or neutral. If Pakistan is with then good luck for Pakistan and if India is against tough luck for them. India must have given due consideration to opt out of the OBOR or CPEC and will face whatever is the outcome. We can't judge who is right or wrong unless just want to score points.

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rama

Apr 26, 2018 04:27am

BRI is to connect China with European market, middle east oil and African resource. With US-China trade war looming , China will loose European market and US market, Its rail connection is deemed as economically impractical .

Without Indian market , China's while idea of BRI will be flat . They knows that

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Muzaffar Ali

Apr 26, 2018 04:40am

India is on the wrong side of History!

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American by heart

Apr 26, 2018 04:45am

@rajab people of India do not think so.

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American by heart

Apr 26, 2018 04:47am

@Alba it’s not Modi it is the people of India do not want to be part of this corridor.

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American by heart

Apr 26, 2018 04:50am

@citizen true you and many Indians have spoken we do not want to be any part of this venture. India do not need this.CPEC will fail 100%

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Ekansh

Apr 26, 2018 05:08am

@Zak yeah yeah good dream.

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Aftab

Apr 26, 2018 05:47am

@SHAHID SATTAR Same argument is true with Afghanistan. India wanted access to AF but we declined. We call Afgans as our brother and we deprived them.

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Faisal

Apr 26, 2018 06:12am

@Political connoisseur what about high interest loans? China will take all the revenue back in interest. If done in US dollars, your reserves will shrink. If done in Chinese currency, you will be under Chinese inflection forever. CPEC was a mistake. Great idea, poor implementation.

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Bipul

Apr 26, 2018 06:37am

India has learnt from its neighborhood that it is a zero benefit project.

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Bipul

Apr 26, 2018 06:42am

Join the project for what?

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Bobby Paul

Apr 26, 2018 06:58am

@Li-N-Ja Fully Agree and this is the point.

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Byju

Apr 26, 2018 07:16am

@Saif Zulfiqar
Then why are they pestering us to join the one belt road project.

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Ali

Apr 26, 2018 07:29am

At least India is smart enough not to accept slavery of China, like we have done.

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Karunakar Narayan

Apr 26, 2018 07:53am

are there no roads in those countries now

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Sharjeel

Apr 26, 2018 07:57am

@Ayub just compare the GDP of Pakistan with India and you will know how many years it will take Pakistan to catch up with India. A single Indian company like TCS has a market capitalization of 100 Billion, all of Pakistan’s GDP is less than 300 Billion. And pakistan’s Economy in coming years will be further drained by high interest rates it will pay to China for CPEC. From CPEC and other BRI projects, only China and its companies stand to gain. In a nut shell, Pakistan will be economically colonized by China

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Jg

Apr 26, 2018 08:57am

So what. They anyway isolated on the issue

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jay

Apr 26, 2018 08:58am

@Sharjeel India's relationship with China is strategic and political. Very different from India's relationship with Pakistan.

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jay

Apr 26, 2018 08:59am

@Political connoisseur Good luck to Pakistan

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ali

Apr 26, 2018 09:17am

We are in good position. China can do nothing if we defaut on loan, and pull the Uygur card.

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vats

Apr 26, 2018 09:19am

OBOR is a trap layed by China , beware

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shiv@uk

Apr 26, 2018 09:24am

This project is beneficial to China only, not for other neighboring association..it's matured decision from Indian counterpart.

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Pervez Akhtar Khan

Apr 26, 2018 10:06am

India should look at the world map and see how it is isolating itself only because of its hate for Pakistan....I say hate because northing else can explain its illogical behavior.

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Babu

Apr 26, 2018 01:29pm

@Pervez Akhtar Khan -- What is the stage of IPI and TAPI gas projects signed long back ? There is no hate for Pakistan, Objection to OBOR is both political and strategic decision of an independent nation. Why should others object?

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R. K. Sonawane

Apr 26, 2018 01:53pm

@rajab - Lets wait & see who regrets & for what !

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Mihir

Apr 26, 2018 02:10pm

@Joe Makes absolute sense..

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Anand

Apr 26, 2018 04:41pm

@Pervez Akhtar Khan : Do some introspection, you might find out why so. If not hopefully your grandchildren will find out why so?

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ZAK

Apr 27, 2018 01:57am

Does any one care.

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ZAK

Apr 27, 2018 02:18am

@Anil Dont say we did not offer, even though you are a nuisance in the region.

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ZAK

Apr 27, 2018 02:20am

@Jagajilly yes Pakistan and China can consider it, if we get same terms in your country, like building the dams in IOK and China builds roads and other constructions in Doklam.

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ZAK

Apr 27, 2018 02:32am

@Sharjeel Dont forget Indias debt highest in the world at $480bn and a yearly trade deficit of $150bn, which means more borrowing and trapped in a circular debt syndrome. CPEC means foreign firms will set up operations to benefit from the cpec route. The taxation from them alone will earn pakistan billions, before even the trade, oil pipelines have there effect. Every country in the world will be directly or indirectly be connected to Pakistan through OBOR emanating from CPEC.

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Raj

Apr 27, 2018 05:09am

No one really knows what the world will look like in 50 years. It is possible China will be the preeminent power wielding unopposed influence and power around the world. It is also possible the world will have multiple powers. India in any case is not going to be a pushover. China is said to be the first country that gets old before becoming rich. So, it is possible China may have insurmountable demographic problems. Therefore, India is shrewd in not committing itself to some grand but possibly stupid plan.

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Black Diesel

Apr 27, 2018 09:05am

Is it only me who thinks that Indians have a long history of fighting with it's neighbors ?

China is going to quickly recognize that choosing India has positive advantages and choosing Pakistan has only negative advantages - that is using Pakistan against India has negative advantages. The positive advantages are greater than the negative advantages. The way China will try to resolve their error is by leaning on Pakistan to redefine its national interest. Mark my words.

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Mekal Faruki

Apr 27, 2018 11:53am

India took a wrong turn. India will lose more from opposing China than it will ever get from supporting the IS

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Be honest

Apr 27, 2018 12:10pm

@GK This is your negative approach as usual towards Pakistan.

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RAVEENDRA NATH

Apr 27, 2018 12:53pm

@ZAK

You are right, India's external debt is 480 billion, reserve of 426 billion and trade deficit is 150 billion comparing to Pakistan's external debt of 88 billion, reserve of 27 billion and trade deficit of 27 billion. India's trade deficit will increase year by year due to purchase of military hardware and infrastructure expenditure. With CPEC Pakistan's reserve will balloon out and trade deficit will decrease, because they will be earning 9% profit of CPEC. Pakistan's has a rosy future ahead. Congratulations, due its policies set by high intellectual professionals. Pakistan is going to reach many heights soon with the help of China.

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Waterboy

Apr 27, 2018 09:41pm

It seems the desperation is on the other side to have India on BRI. India is not going to be so easy one for China.

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A shah

Apr 28, 2018 01:47pm

@Love Pakistan I think you need to wake up. The road is a business venture not some charity. INDIA has the world at its feet and predicted fastest growing economy for the next 20 years. China on the other hand is a sinking ship.